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Who We Are

Fundación A Jean Brugger is a non-profit foundation devoted to assisting promising Nicaraguan youth through education. Our mission is to create and promote programs in education and community development in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua and its surrounding areas. Our commitment to this has resulted in the graduation of 63 local students from University, the current, ongoing sponsorship of 36 college students, the development of a community service program, assistance to rural schools through sponsorship of teachers and donation of school supplies, and the offering of regular baseball camps for boys and girls and quarterly luncheons for the local senior citizens.

The Fundación has a staff of 2 full-time and 2 part-time Nicaraguan employees who provide the professional expertise for all Fundación activities and community liaisons. Our Executive Director, Vilma Bustos, is a graduate of our sponsorship program. The Fundación has fostered, built and maintained strong relationships with our local community and the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education to deliver program and services to the youth of San Juan del Sur.

The Fundación was founded in 2003 by A Jean Brugger, a retired nurse from the United States, and is registered in both Nicaragua and the United States. In the United States it is called The A. Jean Brugger Education Project, and is a tax-exempt 501(c) 3 non-profit foundation.

Our Board of Directors and Local Advisory Group support the foundation as volunteers, without economic benefits. ​Education in Nicaragua

The current educational situation in Nicaragua is hard for many people in developed countries to imagine. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The government invests 3.9% of GDP in education, which is low compared to other countries with similar GDP in the world that invest 6–7%. Elementary education is free and compulsory although this is not strictly enforced. The primary school dropout rate is 51%, most of which occurs in the rural areas, resulting in a high economic and social cost for the country. Many children are not able to attend classes because their families need them to work; this is the principal cause of dropout. Attending school after sixth grade is not the norm in many areas in Nicaragua. For many children it is a dream to even think about attending secondary school. Many schools in Nicaragua struggle with insufficient supplies, limited budgets and poor infrastructure. San Juan del Sur is the most visited vacation destination on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. As home to approximately 18,000 Nicaraguans, San Juan del Sur has emerged as a popular destination for adventurous travelers and expatriates. Although it has seen a rise in economic development in recent years, there remain many gaps in funding for education.

It is only through the programs of the Fundación A Jean Brugger that many eligible students are able to consider post-secondary studies. It is not an easy task but we believe that by focusing our efforts in coordination with our community partners and donors that we have the best chance of making a different in the community, one student, one teacher, and one school at a time.

Our Vision

Our vision is based on our founding belief that education is the most effective and sustainable path to development and improved living standards for both individuals and the community.

By supporting young people in their efforts to work towards their own educational and career goals, we believe their success sets an example for others in the community and helps the student's friends, relatives, and acquaintances as well. For more information on specific areas of the Fundación:

Fundación A. Jean Brugger is registered as an NGO with the government in Nicaragua and is based in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.It is a 501(C)3 organization registered in the United States of America as The A. Jean Brugger Education Project, EIN: 04-3558890. The organization's state of record is Massachusetts.